Greetings everyone. Thanks for all of the amazing info in this thread!
It has definitely pushed me towards building my own lights for my new grow space.
I just moved into a new apt and have some more room to grow. I currently have a 2x2 tent with an HLG QB288 v2 that will now become my dedicated veg tent. My new flowering space will be a large roughly 5x4x8 closet that conveniently has venting to outside the building, as well as some shelving on all 3 walls that will make it simple to hang the lights and fans and use the maximum floor space.
I am trying to decide what my best bet for covering the 57.5"x50" footprint is. After reading through the suggestions on here and doing some math, I think my best bet would be to get a total of 8 of the QB288 boards from Meiju or Kingbrite, and power them with 2 of the HLG-320W drivers from DigiKey. This would be running the boards at @ 62% efficiency, drawing @ 1500ma, 75/80W each board? That seems like a pretty sweet spot for these lights and would let me drop them pretty close to the canopy.
I could use some help with making sure that I get the proper drivers and the proper wiring. I am a developer and am sure that I can figure things out with some guidance (i put together my DIY QB288 kit), but have very little experience with planning electrical projects and specs. I have a decent local hardware, Lowes and Home Depot near me so I should be able to find whatever wiring and wagos I need pretty easy.
I have not figured out a good source for the 2 heatsinks or aluminum sheets I will need (I am in LA if anyone has suggestions). I would also like to mount my drivers outside of the closet on the wall (on an aluminum sheet or something), and need some guidance on that.
One other background detail, I'm building six 18"x24" wide mini 'carts' for my plants. Each one will hold either six 1 gallon pots, or three 2 gallon.
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Best example is something like this, except im adding caster wheels to make it easier to get plants out of my closet to water/care.
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/regency-24-x-18-x-14-green-epoxy-coated-wire-dunnage-rack-with-extra-support-frame-600-lb-capacity/460P1824GFR.html
Except I am using these as the shelf, to provide some extra stability while moving.
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/regency-18-x-24-nsf-black-epoxy-shelf-basket/460EB1824BSK.html
Im also using 24" poles, and plastic smaller casters from a different shop on amazon since their wheels are a little expensive for my needs. The idea is that the adjustable height will allow me to do a perpetual grow SOG, by having 1/2 of the closet rotated in every 5 weeks or so, but be able to keep an even canopy between the old and new plants.
All that said, I figured the 8 board setup would get a better spread and run a little cooler than say, getting one of the Bava 720W with 6 boards & 3 240W drivers and dimming it down to 600W. It wouldn't be as efficient, and not sure that I need the newer models w reds/uva. I accept that I have much to dial in on my setup before I worry about that and I can also add them later.
With the layout explained, how would you all design the heatsink and boards? Should I try to find 2 12" x 48" aluminum sheets and spread the lights out as far as possible, and then just center them above each 'row'?
Last but not least, is there any other controllers or apps that you all are using for timers/dimmers/remote monitoring? I have seen SuperGreenLab and might give that a shot (but not sure if their stuff works with the larger QBs or just the smaller ones that don't require heatsinks?).
Thank you in advance!
PS here's some IHG Lemon-Lime Punch babies that I just popped a few weeks ago that will make their way into this space!
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